As recently as the early 1990s, Tulum was a quiet village 2 km (1.5 mi) from the archaeological site, and tourism outside of the ruins was limited to a few small shops and simple cabañas on the beach. As of the 2020 census, population of Tulum municipality has grown to 46,721 permanent inhabitants with the addition of a number of residential developments in the jungle areas nearest Tulum's downtown.[1] With the rapid increase in tourism, vacation rentals, small hotels and hostels, as well as restaurants and bars, the town is getting more and more popular. Grocery stores, boutiques, bicycle rentals, gyms, tour operators, banks, ATMs, internet cafes, and various other commercial stores are available in Tulum town. Spanish Language Schools are popular in Tulum.[2]

Since 13 March 2008, the town is head of the newly founded municipality (município), the ninth in Quintana Roo.[3]

On 1 December 2023, Tulum International Airport was opened by President Lopez Obrador.